$360 / month
2 calls per month (60min/call)
Unlimited Q&A via chat
Expect responses in 2 days
Hands-on support
I’m a 3x startup founder (2x venture-backed) with deep experience building companies from research to market. My first startup spun out of my PhD in robotics and machine learning, giving me first-hand insight into turning cutting-edge research into real products and businesses. Moving from Australia to the US to found my first company also taught me the challenges of building a startup as a foreign founder.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned how to balance product development, customer needs, and the complexities of managing research and software teams—all while serving as a CEO and technical founder.
I know how valuable it is to have real startup experience on your side—not just advice from consultants or business school frameworks. My goal is to be that resource for founders, helping with pitch decks, fundraising, team building, product strategy, IP and patents, sales, and even M&A.
How I can help:
- Crafting a pitch deck that attracts investors
- Hiring top talent as a small, emerging startup
- Balancing research and software development teams
- Developing effective interview techniques
- Choosing the right investors and navigating negotiations
- Creating sales strategies and pricing models
- Guiding through the process of selling your startup
I offer actionable advice from deep-tech founding, fundraising, and team management experience. If you’re building an early-stage startup and need guidance, reach out!
Founder Experience:
- Current Startup: Building a consumer iOS app
- Robotics Startup: Founded a machine learning company from my robotics PhD, raised $3.7M, secured patents, built a team, and led acquisition talks.
- Web3 Ad Startup: Co-founded a venture-backed startup, raised $4M, and developed the initial codebase.
- Technical Expertise: Experienced in hardware/software engineering, real-time estimation, and ML code in C++.
- Education & Speaking: PhD in Robotics, lecturer, and speaker at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and other universities.
5 out of 5 stars
Ashod has been extremely helpful as a mentor. One of the most valuable aspects of working with him was that we were both local, which allowed us to meet in person and have more meaningful discussions. He provided excellent guidance in navigating the very early stages of our business, helping us stay focused on the most important priorities instead of getting lost in the noise. Ashod offered clear, practical, and actionable advice on a range of topics. He helped us think strategically about research planning and go-to-market execution. His input on setting up analytics was very useful, as was his advice on hiring research staff. Overall, Ashod's mentorship was hands-on and impactful, giving us concrete next steps and frameworks to move forward confidently.
Standard Plan • 4 months
5 out of 5 stars
My session with Ashod was one of the best investments into myself and my business, I could make. He was passionate, knowledgeable, and efficient with the time. Before the call, I was beginning to feel a bit stuck as a first-time founder. But I left the call with clarity about my next steps, factors to consider for important decisions, and risks to look out for on the way. It was certainly time well spent.
Session: Ask Me Anything - 30 …
Whether you're clumsily attempting to find where your Uber is parked or trying to find your friend at a crowded …
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​Sydney engineer Ashod Donikian couldn't make it in Australia so decided to take a chance in Silicon Valley.
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Notify me when Ashod has new spots
We will send you a quick email if Ashod has new open spots for mentorship, and only in that case!
Book a free intro call with Ashod
Connect with Ashod in a quick call (usually under 30 minutes)
One-off sessions with Ashod
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get 30 minutes with a mentor to discuss your needs. Be it help with some code, discussing through an issue …
What's included in the trial?
Every trial is a little different–here's what Ashod says about their trial:
We'll meet for a quick call (usually under 30 minutes) where we:
- Break the ice and introduce ourselves
- Discuss your goals and how I can support you
- Coordinate logistics like time zones, meeting frequency, and communication methods
